Sharp LCD Televisions - Review

In appearance, the LC-32SH7E is a lot like Samsung's B550 model, which is no bad thing. The bezel is a uniform black gloss colour, much like many other LCD televisions, and has a sleek, sexy look about it. The specifications are appealing, with three HDMI inputs, two SCART sockets, a VGA port to plug in your computer, and an integrated Freeview digital tuner. The bonus extra here is the inclusion of a USB port, something you don't always get with other LCD televisions in this price range. This is useful for playing MP3 music files, or showing off your digital photos on your TV. A big 'thumbs up' to Sharp for including this.

The LC-32SH7E also holds its own when it comes to the quality of the display. Boasting a widescreen panel, 1366 x 768 resolution and a 4000:1 contrast ratio, it's more than a match for many of its competitors. It does lack a full 100Hz mode, running at 60Hz instead, but this is quite a common omission in the lower price bracket. If you want 100Hz, you have to pay a bit more for it, simple as that. Despite this, the LC-32SH7E has good picture quality. The blacks have fine depth, the shadow detail is good and the colours are crisp with great contrast. There's also a noticeable lack of jagged edges too, which is surprising for such a cheap model.

When it comes to audio, a common area of complaint in cheap LCD televisions, the LC-32SH7E doesn't disappoint. Sporting two 5 watt speakers, this model achieves impressive levels of volume for its size. The clarity is also good, with no noticeable distortion even with the volume turned right up. The set also punches above its weight when running video games. Usually, games can suffer from input lag and motion blur when run through a television without a 100Hz mode, but that's not the case here. Even faster paced video games run smoothly on the LC-32SH7E, with no nauseating blurring when things get hectic.

Overall this TV caters well for the budget consumer in the face of stiff competition from other manufacturers, and gives the likes of Hanns-G and Goodmans a good run for their money.